Wakanow GCEO Bayo Lion Adedeji receiving honorary doctorate from Madonna University
Bayo Lion Adedeji, the group chief executive officer of travel agency Wakanow, has been conferred with an honorary doctor of business administration degree by Madonna University.
The honour was presented during the university’s convocation ceremony held at its Elele campus in Rivers state, which saw 1,800 students graduate, including 120 with first class honours.
In a ceremony marked by recognition of excellence, the university’s leadership lauded Adedeji’s “professional and societal impact”.
Emmanuel Edeh, the chancellor, stated the award was in recognition of Adedeji’s “exceptional achievements in business leadership and remarkable contributions to society”.
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On his part, Chris Anyanwu, Madonna University’s vice-chancellor, said Adedeji’s accomplishments “embody the values of our esteemed institution and reflect excellence worthy of emulation”.
In his acceptance speech, Adedeji announced a personal commitment of N500,000 each to the three best-graduating students of the university to support academic excellence.
He charged the graduating class to pursue lives of discipline and distinction, delivering a powerful message on African potential.
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“Excellence is not foreign to us, it is who we are. The world must see Africa not for its challenges but for its potential and capacity to build, innovate and compete globally,” he said.
He maintained that technology is important in transforming the travel and tourism sector, citing Wakanow’s impact in establishing Africa as a top player.
Adedeji added that technology should also be embraced as a tool for national security.
“Technology in travel has proven what is possible when innovation meets structure. The same principle must be invested into combating insecurity in Nigeria,” he added.
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In October, the management of Madonna University revealed that in the past 10 years, it has not awarded a PhD to anyone, and only two distinguished individuals have been identified.
Chima Achu, the university’s spokesperson, emphasised that the award is not financially motivated while lauding Adedeji’s impact in job creation, providing employment for over 2,000 Nigerians.
